Attitude and courtesy.

[IamMatt]

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the folks on this board for your "good attitude and courtesy" in allowing me (a non-official) to participate. I have learned a lot here and have lots more to learn.

[NC_Blue]

Coming from a "player" background (D1/NAIA Collegiate catcher - member of ASA Nat. champ. team)....I think I bring a sometimes unique perspective to some situations.

ONE thing I've learned in my years of umpiring (10+, now) is that we're there because of THEM....and not the opposite.

It's OUR field.....but it's THEIR game......and we need to stay out of their way at EVERY opportunity.

I used to post here a LOT. Then.....(and I've experienced it, just today) the nit-picking of questions got to be a downer.....and it became unimportant for me to ask questions of my "peers".

Sad.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NC_Blue

Coming from a "player" background (D1/NAIA Collegiate catcher - member of ASA Nat. champ. team)....I think I bring a sometimes unique perspective to some situations.

ONE thing I've learned in my years of umpiring (10+, now) is that we're there because of THEM....and not the opposite.

It's OUR field.....but it's THEIR game......and we need to stay out of their way at EVERY opportunity.

I used to post here a LOT. Then.....(and I've experienced it, just today) the nit-picking of questions got to be a downer.....and it became unimportant for me to ask questions of my "peers".

Sad.

In the other thread, those two were just joking. They were encouraging all to laugh along with them. Why is that sad? This is a place where we can all relax and once in a while vent, but also let loose and play a little.

To address the rest of your post, I agree with much of what you said, except that it is also their field. I am just a part of it. I am kidded by others I work with as having a Zen approach to umpiring. I hate anything that interrupts the flow of the game that the players have set, and I feel I have done my best job when no one even knows I was there.

[NC_Blue]

I hate anything that interrupts the flow of the game that the players have set, and I feel I have done my best job when no one even knows I was there.

Common ground.

The other thread we speak of......continues down its' rosy path

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I hate anything that interrupts the flow of the game that the players have set, and I feel I have done my best job when no one even knows I was there.

And I hate this adage(?) There is no reason for an official to be invisible. Too many umpires try to live by this credo by being GAGAs and that makes a weak umpire.

There is nothing wrong with being noticed for doing one's job. That does not mean an umpire should seek recognition, that will come when earned.

Scott is correct, it is not our field, our game and not even our rules. Umpires are the facilitators of the application of the rules under which the teams agreed to play. Umpires are the controllers of the game. Umpires are icons of fair play and application of the rules. Our mere presence should give the teams a nice, warm feeling of confidence. Okay, I've gone just a bit too far on that one

Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with people knowing you are there, but why they are aware that you are there.

[IamMatt]

If I may expand on your post, Mike,

Umpires are analogous to judges (or justices). Much of what you say about good umpires applies to good judges. The best of them know the rules/laws, apply them fairly and strongly, and win or lose, leave the participants on both sides knowing they got a fair shake. The worst of them don't know the rules/laws, apply them poorly, and can be more concerned with enhancing their own image by hiding their mistakes or interjecting their own opinions of how things should be than with simply applying the rules/laws as written.

You and some of the other guys here are working to create more of the former and less of the latter.

You would probably make a fine Supreme Court Justice.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IamMatt

If I may expand on your post, Mike,

Umpires are analogous to judges (or justices). Much of what you say about good umpires applies to good judges. The best of them know the rules/laws, apply them fairly and strongly, and win or lose, leave the participants on both sides knowing they got a fair shake. The worst of them don't know the rules/laws, apply them poorly, and can be more concerned with enhancing their own image by hiding their mistakes or interjecting their own opinions of how things should be than with simply applying the rules/laws as written.

You and some of the other guys here are working to create more of the former and less of the latter.

You would probably make a fine Supreme Court Justice.

Hustle. You forgot to mention that good judges hustle. And know all of the angles...